Abstract

Nowadays, the Internet holds an important place in the process of gathering information regarding health. However, it seems that this can cause an unnecessary concern about health that is referred to as cyberchondria. This review article describes the construct of cyberchondria and its relationship with related relevant concepts – health anxiety and hypochondria. The article presents an overview of research results from this area that have been integrated into three theoretical models of different levels. The expanded biopsychosocial-digital model explains how biological, psychological, and social factors may together result in health anxiety, with the suggestion that the digital component intensifies and accelerates the described processes. Within the framework of the cognitive-behavioural model, searching the Internet about health information is conceptualized as a trigger in the development of health anxiety, but also as a form of reassurance seeking that reflects health anxiety. Since Internet searching has its specific aspects in comparison with other forms of reassurance seeking, the article also describes the cyberchondria model which explains why searching the Internet about health is continued despite the accompanying anxiety. The article summarizes research on potential risk factors for cyberchondria; on health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, and metacognitive beliefs, as well as their mechanisms. Finally, the article points out the practical implications of researching cyberchondria.